Spring colours

It's mid-June when I type this, but these photos are from March & April, displaying the wonderful colours of spring.

Gorse on the pathways to the beach

Magnolia in an unknown person's garden!

The rest are chez nous

Always the first to flower, forsythia

Cyclamen peeping out of the troughs

One of our favourites, Euphorbia

Primrose, single...

...or double?

Another of our favourites, Wisteria. Merci, 'Er from Brittany, the gift that keeps on giving.

La Pallice

We've been more than happy with the French health system but we normally have to travel to a larger town to see any specialist.

Tine came with me to La Pallice, a huge industrial area of La Rochelle, and we did a bit of wandering.

The big black building on the left is where the Germans built U-boats in the second world war

This building has been converted to a music venue named La Sirène. I've been to a couple of 'gigs' there: it's an impressive place.

It's hard for you to see but this wall has drawing outlines on, ready to brighten up the building.

Over the channel more dock industries.

Most of the area was probably destroyed in the war and is now home to offices...

...but there are still residences.

Barflies & a birthday!

We've had lots of fun times this Spring.

Since the end of the Starfish we've been going to Le Benèze bar on a Friday evening (next to Séb's pizzas). As you can see, Julia, Elie & Selim are practising their bar skills.

Another day, another bar: Café de la Plage on a Sunday afternoon...

...Selim showing off his dart-playing skills...

...and his new sunglasses (free with a comic).

It's not only the very youngsters who have fun. Here's Angie, Matt, Romain, Tine & your faithful blogger back at Le Benèze.

We were invited to Marine & Harri's house to celebrate Mehdi's birthday

It's not every playroom that has a climbing wall!

Elie, Julia & Selim doing the hard work for Mehdi...

...now with extra-added Tine!

Bridge catch-up at l'Aiguillon & a surprise visitor.

I've not been to inspect the new footbridge recently but I thought I'd share the progress...

...from the end of February...

...to the beginning of March.

As for the surprise visitor, look closely at this video clip taken behind Matt's house.

And here's the damage they do along one of our cycle paths.

Rocamadour

We couldn't resist visiting this famous site again. As a bonus there were very few other people there!

Some of the old gateways to the town

Probably its most famous view...

...now with Tine et moi standing near the end of the parapet.

Phil & Jade enjoying the view.

You definitely shouldn't have vertigo here!

Lacapelle Marival

It was time for our journey back to La Tranche but we planned a couple of stops on the way. We used to camp on the outskirts of Lacapelle Marival and Matt & Phil enjoyed looking around again.

But firstly I couldn't resist a morning photo opportunity, looking over the rooftops of Figeac.

This was the second château on the site in Lacapelle, built in the 15th/16th Centuries...

...and still very imposing today.

The Lord & Lady in front of their home?

Just opposite the château the small market place with a very inviting restaurant at its centre. Shame it was too early!

Cardaillac

I don't remember visiting Cardaillac with our three children when we used to camp nearby in Lacapelle Marival but since then Tine & I have visited several times.

We parked up near this church, practically hidden by catkins.

There were originally four towers, one for each branch of the Cardaillac family.

La Tour Ronde

I rested my legs whilst the others climbed to the top of la Tour de Sagnes.

Matt playing the fool behind Philippe.

A view from the top, the square tower (la Tour de l'Horloge) was once a prison.